My Fundraising Page
Get ready because you are going to get tired of hearing me blab about this. But the fundraising and true running season has begun. And I’m ready to raise $$$$ and run for a REASON! So please consider donating and feel free to pass along my page to all your media outlets and web-based friends 
Strength
What is it, really? And where does it come from? I’m posting THIS again, just because I love it and it’s true. But lately I’ve been thinking of strength in general. And I think this commercial is right on when it says - strength is just what you have left when you’ve used up all your weak.
Thinking back to the last two years and all that I’ve been through, people told me along the way how ‘strong’ I was. And ‘how do you do it?’ And honestly I can’t answer this question because sometimes I surprised myself. Seeing my Mom lately though and things that she’s handling I do think that I got a lot of that strength from her. She can always handle herself and hold it together in tough situations. She’s a little sweet lady – just like myself (ok, minus the sweet part), but you’d never think she is as strong as she is. She holds it together and gets the job done in any tough time.
So are we born with strength or do we build it? I think part is both. I know for myself that I can and will be able to handle a lot more in my life than I ever thought possible. And I also think that survival comes into play. Your body and mind is an amazing thing and when it comes down to it, it’s instinct and power and the will to live. And NOTHING beats that…
WORKOUT – yesterday-sloooooow 8 miles, PT today-bike 30 min, stairclimber 30 min, strength training
Memory Lane Monday -1.31.09
Photography done by Lori and Neville Stringer – Stringer Photography
Copies of pics didn’t come out that great… best I could do, but you get the idea.
People Just Don’t Get It
WARNING! This is another tough one…
When something awful happens to you… people are there for you, family, friends, co-workers. Whoever you need – if you are lucky. Which I was more than blessed with the past few years. However, everyone’s lives move on, and people get to go back to their families and back to their daily lives, when you (the one in the situation – whether it be death, illness, divorce, losing all your money, whatev). And yes… in this case I am talking about CANCER. You are the one who thinks about it all the time and is the one who has to work through everything yourself and deal with it. And unless you lived it, you just don’t know. People can sympathize and help out, but it’s not the same.
Then it seems everyone forgets. People complain about stupid stuff or make excuses for things. They forget what you’ve just dealt with in your life. How can someone say… ‘OMG, I could never live without (insert person here). Really!? Because I did it – did you forget that? Or, I can’t go without seeing (so and so) I’m just not going to be able to make it. Meaning I can’t give something up in my life right now… well, some people don’t get a choice.
I think this photographer (link below) is amazing and had a perfect idea to capture the truth and realness of his wife’s cancer. Because no one knows until you live it… and Angelo’s story helps you live it like it was. Not sugar coated, not always positive and upbeat and painted over. It’s what people don’t WANT to hear, see or think about. It’s the all the medicine, the fear, pain, agony, stress… face masks, walkers, canes… wondering, not knowing… waiting, results, blood tests. Never any rest, never sleep, living a bad dream, out of your control. Life changes, nothing matters, FEAR in it’s worst vengeance. Cold, hard, unforgiving… never ending… life with real meaning… death.
Cancer: The Battle We Didn’t Choose - CHECK HIM OUT
2012 – New Year, New Me
That is the saying, right? I love how a new year can give you a totally fresh start. Not really sure why that is, January 1st is pretty much the same as January 2nd, except that you are probably hung over. BUT for whatever reason, a new year can mean new goals, new attitude, new you. I have a lot to look forward to in 2012 and I know it’s going to be a damn good year! But I also have some changes that I want to make and a lot of goals that I want to meet. I’m honestly pretty happy with my life and myself and how I live, so there’s not a whole lot this year. My main goals are for running and training, and being a little healthier overall. So here are three simple yet important goasl. Let’s see how it goes.
1. OWN IT! – I need to start doing what I saw I’m going to do.
2. Find balance in my life
3. Eat healthy to fuel my body and treat it right
Running goals:
Run 3 marathons – Myrtle Beach , San Diego, NYC (apparently??) or Philly
Run 6 halfs – don’t have them all picked out yet but here are some possibilities – Allentown, New Orleans, Chicago … and whatever other ones I randomly come across. Hopefully in other cities.
PR – sub 4:00 marathon
And here’s a little something that I found while I was going through old journals. I wrote this last year I think sometime in the spring. Thought it was really meaningful and pretty much sums up everything I’d want for this year anyway…
What do I want out of life?
No regrets
Be happy, and I mean genuinely truly happy
Love myself
Meet new people everyday
Be nice, and I mean genuinely truly nice
Give to others for all the right reasons
Enjoy the little things
Step back, take a breath and look around
Run
Party
Not be jealous
Don’t care what people think about me or what I do
Don’t judge
Be happy for others success, and celebrate my own
Feel pain and learn from it
Laugh a lot
Pray and give thanks
Travel
Love again
If You Ever Leave Me, Baby
I am obsessed with THIS song. I absolutely love it!! And THIS kid does an awesome job singing it. I like to think I sound like this when I am rocking out in my car… definitely not even close though. Listening to this makes me feel a little emotional. Mostly happy and reflective on life in general. With the new year approaching I’ve been thinking a lot about last year. So I started reading back through some letters that I wrote to Harvey last winter. I never thought I’d like to read them again or share them with anyone. But I’m actually a little upset that I didn’t write more because I enjoy seeing how I felt back then and how far I’ve come this past year. Just a warning… this is VERY intense… and even scares me a little re-reading it and knowing that at one point I didn’t care if I lived or died. That’s a f*cking scary thought. I was never a person who thought they would even come close to thinking that, ever! But after losing half of your heart and soul… it does some crazy shit. Now knowing life and what it truly is and means I know that it was really a gift that I’ve been given. Life has more meaning to me then it ever would have otherwise and I see and understand more than I ever thought possible. And until you’ve been through it… you wouldn’t know… it’s unexplainable. Ok… so here goes…
“January 11, 2011
Today is one of the first days where I woke up and didn’t have a sick feeling in my stomach. I felt pretty decent and actually wanted to be excited about the day and what I was going to accomplish. Notice I mention “wanted to be”, not “was”. It’s been over a year of worry now, not sincere worry but knowing that something was going on. I remember being on top of the world on our anniversary last year… I just got my hair cut, Harvey gave me diamond earrings, we had a great dinner planned at the Capital Grille. But something was still lurking, something not quite right. How has been a whole year of not knowing, not knowing what was wrong and then knowing what was wrong and not knowing if my husband was going to make it to our second anniversary. Turns out he didn’t. How could this have happened in the first place, we seemed to have everything. Even though we complained about work and finances… all that mattered is that we had each other and each morning I woke up and looked over at him and felt so secure, so happy, so lucky… how is that all gone? A year ago, feels like just yesterday, even though we went through so much and yet it feels like he’s been gone for so long.
Dear Harv,
I love you and miss you so much. I know you know I do but I wish you would come back to me, just for a second just here on the couch, just like a Sunday afternoon. You can even watch football all day if you want, I won’t even complain! I never once took you for granted, I don’t know why you left. I know it wasn’t your fault and if you could have stayed you would have. But I know you are peaceful now and can feel only good emotions, I hope you are in St. Barts and reliving every moment of it, because you always said it was the best 10 days of your life. And I just hope I can join you soon, or that you know I am there with you. Take me with you, please…”
Like I said… intense… but, the gift. What I’ve learned this past year.
What Doesn’t Kill You
Makes you stronger.
Quick post today! But I LOVE this saying… and it’s so, so true. If I could sum up one major thing I learned in 2011 this would be it.
WORKOUT – JM, bike 1 hour
Learn to Live, Remember Death
Here are some things I have learned this past year…
It is so important to have an amazing group of family and friends who loves and cares about you. New and old…
Never underestimate the power of survival, instinct and perseverance.
You are MUCH stronger than you think, and never say you can’t handle something. Because you can.
Be grateful for every opportunity that you are given, large or small and embrace it.
Determination and grit will get you anywhere.
Love yourself and your life because you are the first one that matters and the only one that you can count on.
Enjoy every moment of each day, travel, experience life.
Live what you love and good things will come.
Be happy, smile and celebrate often.
Vivere disce, cogita mori
November 30th, 2010
Harvey E. Forsyth Jr. August 6th 1974-November 30th 2010
God saw you getting tired, a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around you and whispered, ‘come with me’. With tearful eyes we watched you and saw you fade away. Although we loved you dearly we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating your tender hands at rest, God took you home to prove to us, he only takes the best.
-
Tuesday, November 30, 2010 10:00 PM, EST
I never thought I would have to write this but Harv lost his battle today. After about a year (knowingly for 9 months), Harv has been fighting hard!! There are no words to express how grueling and shocking the last few days have been. Harvey did all he could, but took a turn for the worst this past Saturday. He was so ready to rest and go home, but he started having trouble breathing and a lot of pain in his spleen. The cancer was taking over and moving fast… it did not give him enough time to heal and get stronger for another round of chemo, or even go right into the transplant. Harv was comfortable with pain, anxiety medicine, and oxygen the past few days. He got to see some family and friends and knew that we were all there with him. I was able to spend a lot of alone time with him yesterday, and know that he saw me there next to him when he would try to open his eyes. He was comfortable til the end and passed away with me and Mom by his side… listening to some good tunes on the ipod.
RIP
8.6.74-11.30.10
What are you Thankful for?
Today is a day to be thankful for a lot. Most people are thankful for their friends and family and to begin the holiday season with lots of festivities. All great things. However, let’s remember those who are simply thankful for their lives. I have a LOT to be thankful for this year… and looking back at last year, spending Thanksgiving in the hospital hoping and praying for a miracle – everything gets put into perspective. Last year I was thankful for a donor for Harvey, thankful that he was able to leave his room, even if it was in a wheelchair. Thankful that he could have a soda as his dinner because that’s all he could stomach. Thankful that his family got to visit just for a few minutes. Thankful to get to sit next to him and see him smile… not knowing that it would probably be one of the last times…
Thursday, November 25, 2010 10:27 AM, EST
~~~~~~~~~
I’ve met some amazing people throughout the last year and one who I think about and check up on from time to time is Wil. Check out his story HERE. I met his Mom, Karen last year while we were both pulling some late night-ers at HUP. We found comfort in each other and even though our stories were completely different, sharing them and relating to one another about life and how it can change in an instant was just a little bit of strength that we needed to get through some of the really hard days.
So when you are sitting around the table this year be thankful for EVERYTHING you have.
LOVE 
Did you Sign Up Yet?
I forgot the most important part! And don’t forget about cord blood donation too… easy and simple. And it’s all FREE! Here’s another journal post that I came across. I’m actually enjoying going through some of these and reading things from last year. It really puts everything into perspective. Today you are worried about chemo and tomorrow you are worried about your chem lab.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010 12:33 PM, EDT
Morphine + Benadryl + Ativan = tired Harv!!! Oh yeah plus having Leukemia. So the bone marrow biopsy is done. The NP did a great job… they are VERY painful and uncomfortable procedures! Harv is happy that the pain is over, now it’s just the anxiety of waiting for the results. We should hear back on Thursday or Friday, and will know if it did not work – to see if he needs another round of chemo or not. So let’s keep praying that Harv can finally catch a break and everything looks good with the biopsy! More blood and more platelets today, the norm around here. I would love to know how many gallons of blood HUP goes through in a day. Give blood if you can! And think about joining the Bone Marrow Registry… again. (I am annoying, I know). But so important and so easy
True story… I don’t know real names, but this is a story that I heard through one of the other patients here on the floor. It’s someone she met through her own Leukemia diagnosis… meeting other patients with similar stories. So… there was a young woman who lived in TX (we’ll call her Sally) who got diagnosed with Leukemia a little while before her wedding. She needed a Bone Marrow transplant and did not have a sibling match. Luckily she was able to find a match through the National Marrow Donor Program. A middle aged male living in Chicago (we’ll call him Jim), got a call that he was a match for someone and was asked to donate. Since you are not allowed to meet your donor until a year after your transplant, Sally had no idea who Jim was. The transplant was a success and Sally fully recovered and got back to living her life and planning her wedding. Though having not yet met Jim, she sent him a wedding invitation and he attended. The time came for the first dance… instead of dancing with her husband, Sally announced that there was a true angel in attendance and asked Jim to have her first dance. She said she would not be at her wedding at all if it were not for Jim!
And I’m sure you were all wondering about my workout…
WORKOUT – 65min elliptical, stretches, weights, yoga
Considering Joining the Bone Marrow Registry?
Read this…
This time last year to the date we had just found out that a random bone marrow donor was found for Harvey. This, was huge! One more major step down and something else that would add a tiny increase to his already low odds of getting through the transplant. More hope we had!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010 12:46 PM, EDT – written by yours truly
So the conclusion from the appointment yesterday is that the Sprycel doesn’t seem to be working hard enough, to the point where it will bring Harvey back down to a Chronic, safer level. We are going to give it one more week – let’s all pray that something miraculous happens before next Tuesday! If not then he will be admitted into the hospital for about 3-4 weeks to receive traditional chemotherapy.On a good note… the donor seems to be all lined up. They found a 10 of 10 match, and a young donor – which is always more helpful. So thank GOD for this 19 year old male, somewhere out there in the US, who decided to join the bone marrow registry!!
join!
I am still very thankful for whoever the guy was who decided to add himself to the Bone Marrow Registry, even though Harvey never got to use his stem cells… he still gave us hope.
Not Gonna Lie
ready to run... kinda
I wish I could say that the run today was a success, but it definitely wasn’t. Started out great but two miles in my knee (IT band) started hurting. Not to the point where I had to stop, but just enough to really annoy and worry me. Really, two miles!? I am barely warmed up. I had only planned on doing three anyway but kinda lost track and ended up running two out and then turning around. Trying to take it extra slow, which didn’t exactly happen but I felt like I was walking. Then at mile three my Shuffle died and I had no music to finish out the run with. Not a happy camper today. I’m sure I looked like I was pissed too because everyone seemed to be giving me dirty looks. Maybe it was my bad attitude. I was ready to yell at some nasty dude too, who was walking without his shirt off (not someone who should have been), and sucking on his cigarette right in the running path where people have to run by and breath in his disgusting smoke. That’s a whole nother story and I could go off for hours on that one. Maybe another time. And yes, my hot workout outfit is complete with crappy old white T-shirt with about 20 holes in it. HOT!
No more sugar-coating everything. I think know I’ve been acting like things are a little better than they are. Really some days I just want to tell people… ‘give me a break, look what I went through the last two years!’. Most others around me, as it’s been from the beginning get to move on with their lives and don’t have to think about Cancer 24/7. I definitely got a break for a while and got to have fun, take my mind off of the hard stuff. But now events and images from this time last year have been coming back to me. And it definitely annoys me that people act as though I should be living a ‘normal’ life by now and functioning in my daily life just fine. Yeah… it’s called not being able to stay in bed all day because you actually have to live. Otherwise that’s what I’d be doing some days.
So there it is folks… tell it like it is. I bet everyone is ready for some sugar now
WORKOUT – yoga, weights, 4 miles
Why We Run
great article
There are a million reasons out there why people run. Lose weight, stay in shape, healthy heart and lungs, to check out other runners, to think they are cool… over-all fitness, determination, passion, love for the ‘sport’. Energy, stress relief, the list goes on and on. But some other reasons are way more important and running for other people and for charities and life and real reasons is what it’s really about. I read this article in RW a while ago and thought it perfect for 9/11 – obviously that is why they printed it in the September issue.
The thought of this approaching day gives me goosebumps (not the good ones), nervousness, sadness, anxiousness. I definitely think I have the feeling about my own approaching anniversary ‘if you want to call it that’ that probably a lot of other people have dealing with September 11th – except on a whole extra level. I can’t imagine going through what so many people went through that day.
Each of these stories is very emotional in their own different way. All are runners and talk about September 11th and how that day changed their lives forever. How they used running as therapy, to remember, to mourn and to honor. After I got done bawling my eyes out, I realized how true it all is and how I have used running to help me as well.
There was also a reader who commented on the article and said:
NYCBound writes: 8:07 AM on August 15, 2011
9-11 has motivated me to run also. My brother was killed that day in tower #1 of WTC. He was lucky enough to be picked in the lotery to run the NYC marathon that November. Eventhough he was unable to run, a family member has run in that race with his bib number for the past 10 years (starting 2001). I will become the last of the family members this November to run with his bib number. Prior to these events, I only ran a little bit. Now I am averaging at least 20-30 miles a week as I train for this. It will be fitting to have a long run scheduled on the 10th anniversary… I am sure we will have a nice conversation as I take on this feat with my family here by my side but also my brother looking down on me with admiration.
THIS IS WHY WE RUN! – Check it out!
WORKOUT – yoga
Future Me
contemplating life
I got an email from myself the other day, and that’s myself a year ago, so I guess that means I’m my Future Me right now. Everyone has one… it’s who you are supposed to become and who you will turn into, for better or worse. Well, there’s a website out there where you can send emails to yourself in the future. Future Me - get the idea. I thought it was a good idea at the time and knew for sure I’d remember the email was coming. But then it hit my inbox the other day like a ton of bricks and when I saw it my heart sank a little bit because I remembered writing it. And remembered so clearly believing it. Here’s what it said:
The following is an e-mail from the past, sent through FutureMe.org
It was composed on Wednesday, August 25, 2010, to be sent on Thursday, August 25, 2011:
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -
Dear FutureMe,
By the time you read this Harvey will have kicked cancer’s butt!! He will be in remission, living happy and healthy. Go out and have fun, remember what you went through last year and how awful it was. The pain and the worry was unbearable. Enjoy life and what you have right now! Because you never know what is going to happen.
Wow! I’m actually really glad I sent it to me. It’s a reminder how life was then and what Harvey and I went through. At the time we couldn’t wait to ‘live’ again, and live a normal life. One year ago today is when Harv went into the hospital for the first time and we found out that he would need a bone marrow transplant. We heard the percentages and the Doctor say that he had a 50% chance of surviving – and 25% if we didn’t get rid of the cancer right away. That’s a hard hit to take. In honor of H-man and his strength and life we all need to step back and look at our ‘Future Me’s’ and who they are going to be and what they can do to enjoy life and make it a better for everyone else. I’m glad I met my Future Me the other day and I look forward to seeing another email from her in a year or two. Sometimes we all need a little reminder.
WORKOUT – 3 miles, yoga
The Three Things
saxy
Someone once gave me some really good advice… and it goes like this: write down three things that you are thankful for each day, and why. Three things in your life that you are excited about when you start off your day. Or at the end of the day, things you accomplished and feel good about and are thankful you got to do. The way I started out doing this is: write down three great things that happened to me the day before, three things that I am excited to happen that day (helps if you do it in the morning), and then at the end of the day, what you accomplished and are grateful for. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow – love the way that sounds. So pretty much that’s nine things… but you get the idea. Once you get the hang of it you can start to just use 3 – or make mental notes instead of actually writing them out. They can be stupid little things or super important things, but either way it will always make you feel better, trust me!
For example today I can say I was happy that I got to sit outside on Main Street on this gorgeous day and drink coffee and text study (jk, I really did get a lot of studying done). Another was that I found some new avenues to find renters, and decided that whatever happens, happens and I’ll get my place rented and sign my lease one way or another (because I rock like that) – again, kidding. And thirdly I get the opportunity to kick my final’s butt and be done with class for a few days… this is more of a wish, but I am hoping it comes true. So try it out once in a while, because I’m telling you it works great!!
Here is one of mine from awhile back: Saturday April 16th, 2011
Yesterday: 1.learned a lot in class, one step closer to a new career 2.rested my ankle, better for sunday’s run 3.talked to ‘said’ person and he gave me this great idea
Today: 1.rest my ankle, drink water, get ready for run 2.errands, cross things off my to-do list 3.get nails done, fun
Tomorrow: 1.run 16 miles, psyched! 2.head to mountains, relaxation time 3.drink, food, lake, fun, spend time with rents
no more dev psy
Dodge Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon, 2011 – Recap
Hands down second best day of my life! No lie. Maybe it’s because it was my first marathon, maybe it was just my race and everything came together perfectly, maybe it was the reason I was running. Maybe I found my passion! I’d like to think it’s a little bit of it all. I had an A-mazing first marathon experience! The magnitude of it all was overwhelming.
race gear
The morning started off at 3:00am – sorry Lauren! I couldn’t sleep… I ended up having really bad, sad dreams about Harvey right before I woke up. Pictures of him in my head… crying, at the race with his picture. Maybe this was my motivation for the day? Felt major back pain and nerves when I first woke up. My butt and arms hurt – I guessed from yoga? And wondering why my ankle and legs hurt when I hadn’t run for weeks. Nerves slowly turned into excitement as I got ready, sunscreened up, put on my clothes -
mantra
SNEAKS! (oh, how I missed them), sharpie-d on my quote “Run like an antelope out of control: feet quick, legs strong, I can do this all day long” – thanks Leslie! That made me smile and want to kick it into gear all day! Fueled up with my little pre-race oatmeal, one water bottle and we were ready to go. Hopped on the TNT shuttle at 4:45ish (sorry for being late, coaches) :0 Still dark out at the start of the race, but after waiting in line for the porta potties a few times, gear checking the sun was coming up and we walked right into our corrala corral that was way faster than our time. Gun off – ready to rock! Thinking… this is the moment, I could hardly contain myself. This right here – the start is what I trained, worked my butt off, sacrificed, and waited for longer than I even realized.
ready to roll
for harv
Excitement and happiness is probably the only way to describe the first part of the race (wish I had better words). The sun was coming up, we were pacing really well – 10min miles. Stopped a few times to pee and started to get into the groove. Kim and I ran together for the first half-ish. Looking around, talking, commenting on what bars we wanted to go to later as we ran through the Gaslamp Quarter. See you later Whiskey Girl! Looking at apartments for me, when I come back to SD to move . Had a great time talking to people along the way. A lot of runners and fellow TNTers saw my picture of Harvey and what I had written on my legs and said how amazing I was, or how sorry they were – or you go girl (always a good one). I thought it would be really hard at first but it turned more into motivation and “hell, yeah that’s right!!” , then sadness. Harv would be so proud of me for what I accomplished, and was doing in his honor. He’d also appreciate the fact that I picked out a hot pic of him.
start
Some of the reasons that I decided I love marathon(s) along the way… you get to pee in public/the street and no one cares. You get to liter. You feel famous, people take your pictures and everyone knows your name. Oh yeah and then there’s the fact that you are pushing yourself to the limit and testing your grit and determination! The spectators here were great… cheerleaders, people with signs, TNTers, purple stuff all over the place, Team in Training coaches, little kids giving high fives, people setting up stands for the runners, soooo many supportive groups of people cheering on all the runners. I especially loved the cancer survivors who came out and said “THANK YOU” to us for what we were doing! We really did save lives! Some of the best signs I saw were, “Thank you, from a Leukemia Survivor”, also liked the guy with “Run now, Tequila later” – that was probably around mile 15 or so – I said YES to that! Some of the fellow runners were great motivation as well. A lot of people with “in memory of” pictures on their backs, and names. Marines and Military carrying flags honoring those they lost in the line of duty. A guy who was wearing a shirt that said “Liver, Kidney Donor” – I gave him the thumbs up at mile 24 and told him he was “AWESOME”.
rising sun
I would say my most memorable part of the race was just before mile 19. Longer rolling hill and I was following a guy carrying the American Flag. Power up to the top of the hill as U2′s ‘Where the Streets have no Name’ starts on the I-pod. Slowing, rolling up the hill behind the flag, peak the hill and see the ocean – gorgeous, perfect, happiness, stomach flip, pure joy and adrenaline. That’s when I thought – I got this, and I love it!! Life F*cking Rocks and I can do anything I want!
where the streets have no name
love
So how did I physically feel throughout the race? Mile 4 flew by like nothing. Mile 6 is when I first started to “feel” my legs. No stomach issues or anything (surprisingly). Stingers worked perfectly – taking one at each hour that passed. Mile 10 the blisters really started to set in and I could feel them – bad. Oh well… suck it up, pain is gain! Mile 16 my knees were really starting to hurt as well. I kept thinking of Harvey and how badly his knees hurt in the hospital, how swollen they were and the fact that he couldn’t even walk. Getting a shot under his kneecap and having them drained was the worst pain I’d ever seen him in (even worse than a bone marrow biopsy – and that is bad!). I knew if he could endure all he went through that I could deal with some measly blisters and some knee soreness. I would say that is the one point in the race where I was a little worried, rounding up one of the bigger hills around mile 16 – but thinking of the reason I was really there and being so appreciative that I could run! Harvey was in a wheelchair the last few days of his life and couldn’t even walk or get outside. Thinking of that I knew it was payback time, Cancer Bitches!! Mile 18 I took a salt pack at one of the medical tents and kicked it into gear. Passing people left and right… felt great! Mission beach – running right along the water, seeing the sign that said “What Wall?”, that is exactly how I felt. I kicked it up and knew I could hold it until the end. I was having a blast!! I started seeing some other TNTers and two of my coaches. Jen and Aram ran with me toward the end. Coming close to the finish line at mile 24 and actually seeing it… there is no other feeling in the world. Booking it past people who I saw all along the way and knowing I was doing amazing and also about to have one of the greatest moments and best accomplishments of my life. GAIN!
what wall
Pain – the only complaint I would say I had about the course was towards the end in Mission Beach – it was quite a small area and sidewalk to run along. At that point I wanted to pass people and did get held up a little bit and had to run on the grass etc. I’m assuming usually at the point people aren’t really passing each other though, so it probably works out fine for some. The one other thing was part of the highway, mile 8 or so (I think), was quite a sideways incline, so you were running on an angle. Could be why my left ankle hurts and is still swollen.
But let’s end on a good note… best Marathon ever and my absolute most favorite!! Oh wait, it’s my first one Already psyched for Philly!
After the party race it was time to refuel and re-hydrate! Cheez-its and MGD64 – and lots of water. We fueled up and hung out for a while at the Team in Training tent and basked in the glow of our major accomplishment. I think the consensus was “holy sh*t we just ran a marathon!”. On to ice baths and more beer!
fuel
Remembering the Reason
Harvey Forsyth 1974-2010
Remembering WHY I am running on June 10th
For Harvey and any and everyone else who has and will be affected by blood cancers. Someday there will be a cure and no one will ever have to go through what we went through. Remember Harv and others and what they fought for….
Joining the Bone Marrow Registry
Harvey Forsyth Memorial Fund – benefiting local Cancer patients and families (please comment or email me for info)
Memorial Day
so cute
No, it doesn’t mean a day off work, or drinking too much at a family BBQ and embarrassing yourself in front of Aunt Sally. It doesn’t even mean throwing all your inhibitions out the window on the AC Expressway, heading to the shore and knowing you will be coming back with regrets. And no it’s not about the beach or the mountains or your tan. It’s about remembering those who have died in our Nation’s Service. People forget and take for granted other people’s live and things that go on around them. We all do it. But days like today we need to take a step back, not be so selfish and think about what other people and humanity really means. And that there are our fellow man dying for us, fight for us, helping us in ways we would never even know.
Before Harvey got sick we did go about our daily lives, not paying attention to much else but what was important in our future. I’d like to think we were both very caring and compassionate people, giving to charities and helping out others. But after dealing with Cancer, your whole world is opened up. You look around you in the hospital and you see other people just like you… giving up their whole lives and everything they’ve dreamed and worked hard for, from no fault of their own. Fighting through one of the worst battles you could possibly fight and not knowing if you are gonig to come out on top. BUT Harvey never forgot about others during his fight… he put everyone else before himself and he fought with the most positive attitude. He changed lives. Whether other people know it or not… he gave a lot of people a lot of things. The meaning of true happiness and an example of how to live your life and to die with honor. Nothing should ever be taken for granted, especially your fellow man.
People can go about their daily lives and forget about others and be selfish, and that’s fine… it’s going to happen. But seeing what is there and knowing what we can and do, do for each other is amazing and eye opening. So the next time you walk down the street and you see a child in a wheelchair or a Veteren, or someone with cancer, take a step back and look at your life and what you really have and appreciate what these people are giving you, and how lucky you are. And think about one way you can give back. Whether it’s helping an old woman cross the street, smiling at somone who looks like they are having a bad day… giving blood, donating to cancer research. Or just doing something completely unselfish. And then REMEMBER – remember those others, and the ones we have lost.
On a lighter note… you know I wasn’t about to have an over indulgent weekend with out a little retail’n it up. Not my fault though, my flip flop broke right outside the Wild Ocean Surf Shop . So I really did NEED to buy new ones. Along with a comfy sweatshirt of course. Let’s hear it for the Red White and BLUE.
- wild ocean surf shop
WORKOUT – yoga, weights… lounge by pool (it’s called taper)
Mountains kinda “Weekend”
stella baby
I say Weekend lightly because it was actually Sunday night into Tuesday -gotta love that! The weather wasn’t the greatest, but the food and wine and relaxation certainly were! There is nothing better then sitting outside by the water – somewhere, anywhere. Water has a very calming quality to it. Listening to some tunes, drinking a Stella, reflecting on life. I can’t think of a more perfect way to relax. One of those moments when you are filled with so much joy and happiness and excitement and you say “LIFE IS GOOD”.
It’s also always a good weekend when your day is centered around food and booze. Yes, no running for this little girl. My ankle needed a break anyway (no, really it did!). So besides eating and drinking and letting Murph run around in the mud like a “crazy pup”… what to do?
Wine tasting on a Monday afternoon! There’s a ton of great wineries in PA, outside the city where they can grow the grapes right there. So Mom and I hit up one of our favs, The Grovedale Winery… always delish, newly renovated and great atmosphere. Couple glasses of wine, a few crackers later we made our best wino selections. FYI – the Port from this place is amazing! We started tasting the drys and moved onto the sweets. I bought Cabernet Sav (of course) -Cabernet Sauvignon: A delicious Cabernet opening with ripe cherry fruit in the nose, leading to a good balance of oak and soft tannins. Frontenac Gris (delishishly grapefuity and not too sweet)-Frontenac Gris: A lively, refreshing wine with grapefruit and tropical fruit notes. Limited quantity- only 41 cases produced. And a little Brandy-Laced Peach Preserves to go with any good morning wine drinking
yummy
So by the time we found our way back… got lost on our way there, btw. Let me just say that being from Philly you kinda expect people to be A-holes. We were pulled over on the side of the road trying to mess with the GPS and figure out where to go when this car slowed up behind us. I got all annoyed and was like “why are they not going around!”, but of course they pulled over and asked us if everything was alright and then ended up giving us directions to the winery. Oops – I’m sure they were thinking we were the Philly A-holes at that point in our Infiniti G35, big sunglasses and GPS – not knowing the “good ‘ol back roads” in Bradford County. OOPS – Sorry, nice lady… thanks again for your help. Next time I will buy you a bottle of Port
crazy kid
Home now, Murph is a muddy mess and it’s time for a delisious din! No pics of din and there after but you know what they say… “What Happens at the Lake, Stays at the Lake”…
- the best is yet to come
WORKOUT – None, besides trying to do some stretching and yogo while Murph was biting me… or walking up and down the the lake (that counts)
